Connector fitting

ABSTRACT

A connector fitting ( 1 ) for fixing a longitudinal body, for example, a cable, a hose, a pipe, a corrugated hose, or the like, to an opening, especially to an opening or a perforation in a housing wall is provided. The connector fitting ( 1 ) includes a chuck ( 2 ), which penetrates the opening in a position of use and is provided with slits that extend generally in an axial direction, said chuck comprising a thread located on a section, which is arranged and remains in front of the opening. The chuck is radially outwardly expandable outwards in an insertion direction behind the opening into a clamping region containing the slits, and can be tightened on an outer side or in front of the opening of the housing by the thread and a matching tensioning nut ( 3 ), such that the clamping region can be directly or indirectly, at least partially, withdrawn into the opening and thus braced against the longitudinal body. The tensioning nut ( 3 ) includes an abutment ( 4   a,    4   b ) acting in the axial direction and the chuck ( 2 ) comprises a counter-abutment ( 5   a,    5   b,    5   c,    5   d ) adjacent to its thread section, and the counter-abutment ( 5   a,    5   b,    5   c,    5   d ) exerts pressure on the abutment ( 4   a,    4   b ) in a released position of the chuck ( 2 ).

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a connector fitting for fixing a longitudinalbody, for example, a cable, a hose, a pipe, a corrugated hose, or thelike, to an opening, especially to an opening or a perforation in ahousing wall. The connector fitting comprises a chuck, which penetratesthe opening in a position of use and is provided with slits that extendessentially in the axial direction, said chuck comprising a threadlocated on a section, which is arranged and remains in front of theopening. According to the invention, the chuck radially expands outwardsin the insertion direction behind the opening into a clamping regioncontaining slits, and can be tightened on the outer side or in front ofthe opening of the housing by means of the thread and a matchingtensioning nut, such that the clamping region can be directly orindirectly, at least partially, withdrawn into the opening and thus canbe braced against the longitudinal body.

A connector fitting of this type is known from DE 100 33 911 C1, FIGS.6-8, and has proven itself in practice. In this way, the tensioning nutcan act directly on a connecting piece of the chuck and can tighten thechuck on one hand but can also move it back axially into the releasedposition by rotating in the opposite direction. Thus, the longitudinalbody can also be released again.

If this disassembly is not performed with care and the tensioning nut isturned too far into the open position, the chuck leaves the internalthread of the tensioning nut, so that the entire arrangement then fallsapart or must be reassembled from the inside of a housing for laterassembly.

SUMMARY

Therefore, there is the objective of creating a connector fitting of thetype mentioned in the introduction, which can prevent the undesiredtotal disassembly of the chuck and tensioning nut.

To achieve this objective, the tensioning nut comprises an abutment thatacts in the axial direction and the chuck comprises a counter-abutmentadjacent to its threaded section. The counter-abutment acts on theabutment in the released position of the chuck.

If such a connector fitting is screwed in the opening or releasingdirection, the chuck cannot leave the thread of the tensioning nut dueto the abutment and the counter-abutment, thus these parts cannot becompletely separated because before such a separation can occur, theabutment and counter-abutment contact each other and prevent furtherscrew motion in the releasing direction.

Here, it is advantageous if the chuck covers the abutment of thetensioning nut in the axial direction with the region bearing thecounter-abutment on the side facing away from the housing. Through thisarrangement of abutment and counter-abutment, the connector fittingremains on the side of the housing opposite the tensioning region of thechuck when the chuck is loosened in the perforation without coming apartor falling out.

Here, it is especially advantageous if the tensioning nut comprises asleeve-like extension adjacent to its thread in the axial direction. Theradially inwardly projecting abutment is arranged within this extension.Therefore, the counter-abutment remains protected.

The abutment can be arranged at the end of the internal thread of thetensioning nut between the thread region and the sleeve-like extension.Therefore, the sleeve-like extension surrounds and protects the threadof the chuck also in the tightened position of use.

Here, the axial dimension of the sleeve-like extension can be at leastas large as the axial adjustment path for tightening the chuck, orlarger, and the counter-abutment located on the chuck can also bearranged within the sleeve-like extension for a tightened tensioningscrew or tensioning nut. Thus, the thread of the tensioning screw andthe counter-abutment is still protected by the sleeve-like extension inthe position of use even for the greatest adjustment of the tensioningscrew, e.g., on an opening in a relatively thin wall.

In one advantageous configuration of the invention, the counter-abutmentis arranged on the end of the chuck facing away from the tensioningregion and is an annular piece, which is connected to the chuck andaxially covers the abutment of the tensioning nut in the position ofuse, said annular piece extending over at least a part of thecircumference of the chuck and the abutment. Through this large contactsurface, a good force distribution is achieved for the mutual contact ofabutment and counter-abutment.

The counter-abutment embodied as an annular piece can be connectedintegrally to the chuck or can be a separate part, especially a sealingring or O-ring, inserted into a groove at the end of the chuck. Anintegral abutment is stable and does not require complicated molds forinjection-molding fabrication. Here, the chuck can be screwed in fromthe side of the sleeve-like extension into the tensioning nut. In thisway, the tensioning region of the chuck is pressed together by theabutment and the attached internal thread guides the tensioning nut andthen is screwed in further. If the abutment is a separate part locatedin a groove, the chuck can also be mounted from the side facing awayfrom the sleeve-like extension if the abutment is first inserted intothe groove for a mounted chuck. Furthermore, the shape and material ofthe abutment can vary according to the application of the connectorfitting.

In one especially advantageous configuration of the invention, whichprevents rotation of the tensioning nut not only by mutual axial contactof abutment and counter-abutment, the counter-abutment on the chuckcomprises at least one finger extending radially outwardly, especiallyprojecting tangentially, and on the tensioning nut covered by it in theposition of use, there is a projection extending in the axial direction,which contacts the finger in the circumferential direction for blockingrotational movement.

The counter-abutment formed as a finger can be elastic and can bedeflected elastically for contact on the abutment projection up to theinner wall of the sleeve-like extension in order to cushion thetransition from rotational motion to the blocked position.

The somewhat elastic abutment finger further has the advantage that in atypical way the chuck can be inserted with its end region into the nut,wherein only the abutment finger has to be bent inwards somewhatelastically to be able to be led through the thread and the abutment.Here, the orientation and curvature of this abutment finger is favorablefor rotating the chuck in the tensioning nut. Thus, a chuck can be usedwith a very large radial dimension of the tensioning region or thetensioning finger, which could not be introduced from the other sidethrough the abutment and the thread of the coupling ring or tensioningnut. This arrangement thus allows a chuck with a nearly arbitrarilylarge radial extent for its tensioning region.

The finger used as a counter-abutment and extending diagonally ortangentially can stand apart from the chuck against the relativerotational motion of the external thread. In this way, for relativescrewing in the releasing direction, the abutment finger initially at adistance from the abutment on the tensioning nut comes increasinglycloser to this finger and then reaches the axially extending projectionagainst the rotation of the tensioning nut.

The projection extending in the axial direction opposite the abutmentcan be arranged at a diameter, which is smaller than the diameter of thecircle, on which the outer, free end of the abutment finger is located.Through this arrangement, the abutment finger is expanded and spreadapart and correspondingly securely fixed. Simultaneously, its radialcoverage of the abutment of the tensioning nut increases, so that aseparation of the chuck from the tensioning nut by a screwing motion inthe releasing direction is practically excluded.

In one especially advantageous configuration of the axially extendingprojection, the abutment side of the projection extends at a steepangle, especially approximately axially, and the limit of the projectionfacing away from the abutment side is at a rising, diagonal slope.Through the steep edge of the projection, the abutment finger is heldduring the releasing of the tensioning nut or during the disassembly ofthe connector fitting and the tensioning nut is prevented from fallingout. If the connector fitting is mounted, the abutment finger can slideslightly over the diagonal edge of the projection during turning of thechuck in the tensioning nut and is slightly mechanically loaded by theresulting deflection.

It is also advantageous if a similarly slotted connecting piece, whichcan be expanded by the chuck and engages behind the perforation on theinside with retaining projections, is arranged on the outer side of thechuck between the chuck and the perforation edge. The inside of thisconnecting piece can receive force from the outer side of the chuck. Theindividual retaining projections of the connecting piece are used tosecurely fix the connector fitting to the housing wall, wherein theretaining projections connect rigidly to the inside of the housing wall.

In addition to the internal thread for tightening the screwed-on chuck,the lower part of the tensioning nut comprises another internal threadwith greater radius than that of the chuck. This other thread is usedfor fixing the connecting piece. For adapting to various wall thicknessvalues, the entire tensioning nut is turned for tightening until thereis contact of the retaining projections of the connecting piece on theinside as well as the tensioning nut on the outer side of the housing.As soon as the tensioning nut is rigidly attached to the housing wall,only the top part of the tensioning nut, thus the sleeve-like extension,is turned and thus the chuck is braced against the longitudinal body.Between the upper and lower parts of the tensioning nut, a slip couplingcan be connected, on which the upper part of the tensioning nut slidesafter the tightening of the lower part for further tightening of thechuck.

For the fast tightening of the chuck with the longitudinal body, in oneadvantageous configuration of the connector fitting, at least one of theclamping fingers of the chuck comprises a pushing element formed on theoutside, said pushing element preventing co-rotation of the chuck withthe tensioning nut through intermeshing with the slots of the connectingpiece when the tensioning nut is tightened. The frictional engagement bythe force of the inside of the connecting piece through the outer sideof the chuck is supported by a positive fit.

The opening of the sleeve-like extension can be closed by a seal, whichcomprises an opening for the longitudinal body, advantageously on theside facing away from the housing. Therefore, the interior of theconnector fitting can be protected against moisture and/or dust.According to the configuration, the seal can also fulfill the functionof bending protection for the longitudinal body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, embodiments of the invention are described in moredetail with reference to the drawing. Shown in partially schematicrepresentation are:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a connector fitting according to theinvention in the assembled state with a chuck, whose tensioning regionin the position of use can engage behind a perforation with an expandedouter side and which comprises on the outer end as a counter-abutment aprojecting finger for covering an annular end surface as an abutment andfor interacting with an abutment projection extending axially from thissurface,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a connector fitting according to theinvention in the assembled state with abutment finger and axialprojection, wherein on the outer side of the chuck an expandableconnecting piece with retaining projections for engaging behind aperforation is arranged,

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the connector fitting according to FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a connector fitting according to theinvention in the assembled state with an axial annular element as acounter-abutment on the chuck,

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the connector fitting according to FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a section view of a connector fitting according to theinvention in the assembled state with a sealing ring acting as acounter-abutment in a groove on the end of the thread of the chuck, and

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the connector fitting according to FIG. 6.

A connector fitting designated in its entirety with 1 for fixing alongitudinal body, e.g., a cable, a hose, a pipe, a corrugated hose, orthe like, to an opening, especially to an opening or to a perforation ina housing wall, comprises a chuck 2, which comprises a thread on asection that is arranged and remains in front of the opening and expandsradially outwards in the insertion direction behind the opening into aclamping region containing slits extending in the axial direction.

The chuck 2 can be tightened by means of the thread and a matchingtensioning nut 3 in front of the housing opening, so that the clampingregion can be withdrawn into the opening and therefore can be bracedagainst the longitudinal body, with the external thread of the chuck 2engaging an internal thread of the tensioning nut 3.

To prevent an undesired total disassembly of the chuck 2 and tensioningnut 3, the tensioning nut 3 comprises an abutment 4 a, 4 b acting in theaxial direction, and the tensioning nut 2 comprises a counter-abutment 5a, 5 b, 5 c, 5 d adjacent to its thread section. The counter-abutment 5a, 5 b, 5 c, 5 d exerts pressure on the abutment 4 a, 4 b in thereleased position of the chuck 2 and therefore prevents the chuck 2 frombeing able to leave the thread of the tensioning nut 3 or from beingable to separate from the tensioning nut 3.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the connector fitting according to theinvention comprises on the end of the internal thread 4 b of thetensioning nut 3, which forms an annular end surface, facing away fromthe tensioning region of the chuck 2, an axial projection 4 a, whichacts as an abutment and which comprises in this embodiment a steeplyrising, axially extending abutment side. The side of the projection 4 afacing away from the abutment side rises diagonally.

The tensioning nut 3 comprises adjacent to the end of its internalthread in the axial direction a sleeve-like extension 3 a, within whichthe projection 4 a is arranged and which in the axial direction is aslarge as the axial displacement path when the chuck 2 is tightened orlarger, so that a counter-abutment 5 a located on the chuck 2 is alsoarranged within the sleeve-like extension 3 a for a tightened tensioningscrew 2 or tensioning nut 3.

At the upper end of the chuck 2, there is a tangentially projectingfinger 5 a, which is used as a counter-abutment and which stands at adistance from this opposite the relative rotational direction ofexternal thread of the chuck 2 and which exerts pressure on theprojection 4 a as well as the annular end surface of the tensioning nut3 forming the end of the internal thread 4 b in the axial direction onthe side facing away from the housing in the released position of thechuck 2 and thus prevents the further rotational movement of the chuck2. The external free end of the finger 5 a is here located on a circle,whose diameter is greater than the diameter of the annular end surface,on which the projection 4 a is arranged. When the projection 4 a iscontacted, the elastic finger 5 a deflects elastically up to the innerwall of the sleeve-like extension 3 a.

The chuck 2 comprises at its tensioning region several radiallyoutwardly expanding clamping fingers 9, which are bent inwards fortightening with a longitudinal body through the tensioning nut 3 by thecontact on the perforation edge for the fixing of the connector fittingon an opening or a perforation of a housing wall or on the lower end ofthe internal thread of the tensioning nut 3 and thus fixes thelongitudinal body. When braced against the longitudinal body, the chuck2 withdraws partially into the thread opening through screwing in thethread of the tensioning nut 3. A seal 8, through which the longitudinalbody is guided, closes the tensioning nut 3 on the upper end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and modified from FIG. 1, theconnector fitting 1 according to the invention comprises a tensioningnut 3. This tensioning nut 3 consists of a sleeve-like extension 3 a anda screw ring 3 b. The sleeve-like extension 3 a comprises an internalthread, in which the external thread of the chuck 2 engages.

Similar to FIG. 1, the chuck 2 comprises on the upper end a tangentiallyprojecting finger 5 a, which is used as a counter-abutment and whichstands at a distance from this opposite the relative rotationaldirection of the external thread of the chuck 2 and which exertspressure on the projection 4 a as well as the annular end surface of thetensioning nut 3 forming the end of the internal thread 4 b in the axialdirection on the side facing away from the housing in the releasedposition of the chuck 2, and thus prevents the further rotationalmovement of the chuck 2.

To adapt to various wall thickness values, a connecting piece 7 providedwith slits 11 and engaging behind the perforation on the inside withretaining projections 7 a is screwed in from below in an internal threadof the screw ring 3 b, which is arranged in the position of use on theouter side of the chuck 2 between this and the perforation edge. Forceis exerted on the inside of the connecting piece 7 by the outside of theclamping finger 9 of the chuck 2. At least one of the clamping fingers 9is provided with a pushing element 10, which is arranged on the outerside and which engages in the slits 11 of the connecting piece 7 in theposition of use.

The assembly of the chuck 2, tensioning nut 3, and seal 8, which can beseen in FIG. 3, is realized according to the illustration from belowupwards, wherein the elastic finger 5 a of the chuck 2 is bent so farinwards that it fits through the internal thread of the tensioning nut3. After the chuck 2 is screwed into the tensioning nut 3, the finger 5a automatically bends outward again and can therefore be used again as acounter-abutment of the chuck 2.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show another embodiment of the connector fitting 1according to FIGS. 2 and 3, for which the annular end surface of the endof the internal thread 4 b of the tensioning nut 3 is provided as theabutment in the interior of the sleeve-like extension 3 a of thetensioning nut 3. An annular piece 5 b, which is formed on the end ofthe external thread of the chuck 2 and which surrounds and axiallycovers the abutment 4 b, forms the counter-abutment on the chuck 2. Thisannular piece exerts pressure on the abutment 4 b in the releasedposition of the chuck 2. The assembly of the chuck 2, tensioning nut 3,and seal 8, which can be seen in FIG. 5, is realized from top downwardsaccording to the illustration.

The modification of the embodiment from FIGS. 4 and 5 of the connectorfitting 1, which can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, comprises as the abutmentin the interior of the sleeve-like extension 3 a of the tensioning nut 3the annular end surface of the end of the internal thread 4 b of thetensioning nut 3. A ring, in this embodiment an O-ring 5 c, which isinserted into a groove 5 d, forms the counter-abutment to the chuck 2.This ring exerts pressure on the abutment 4 b in the released positionof the chuck 2. The O-ring 5 c realizes a sealing effect in the positionof use through the contact on the end of the internal thread of thetensioning nut 3 forming an annular end surface and thus fulfills adouble function, on one hand, as a counter-abutment of the chuck 2, andon the other hand, as a seal between the chuck 2 and tensioning nut 3.

The assembly of the chuck 2, tensioning nut 3, and seal 8, which can beseen in FIG. 7, is realized from the top downwards according to theillustration.

1. Connector fitting (1) for fixing a longitudinal body, for example, acable, a hose, a pipe, a corrugated hose, or the like, to an opening,especially to an opening or a perforation in a housing wall, wherein theconnector fitting (1) comprises a chuck (2), which penetrates theopening in a position of use and is provided with slits that extendgenerally in an axial direction, said chuck comprising a thread locatedon a section, which is arranged and remains in front of the opening,wherein the chuck radially expands outwards in an insertion directionbehind the opening into a clamping region containing the slits, and canbe tightened on an outer side or in front of the opening of the housingby the thread and a matching tensioning nut (3), such that the clampingregion can be directly or indirectly, at least partially, withdrawn intothe opening and thus braced against the longitudinal body, wherein thetensioning nut (3) comprises an abutment (4 a, 4 b) acting in the axialdirection and the chuck (2) comprises a counter-abutment (5 a, 5 b, 5 c,5 d) adjacent to the thread section and the counter-abutment (5 a, 5 b,5 c, 5 d) exerts pressure on the abutment (4 a, 4 b) in a releasedposition of the chuck (2).
 2. Connector fitting according to claim 1,wherein a region of the chuck (2) bearing the counter-abutment (5 a, 5b, 5 c, 5 d) covers the abutment (4 a, 4 b) of the tensioning nut (3) inthe axial direction on a side facing away from the housing.
 3. Connectorfitting according to claim 1, wherein the tensioning nut (3) comprises asleeve-like extension (3 a) located adjacent the threads in the axialdirection, within which the radially inwardly extending abutment (4 a, 4b) is arranged.
 4. Connector fitting according to claim 3, wherein theabutment (4 a, 4 b) is arranged at an end of the internal thread of thetensioning nut (3) between the thread region and the sleeve-likeextension (3 a).
 5. Connector fitting according to claim 3, wherein anaxial dimension of the sleeve-like extension (3 a) is at least as largeas an axial displacement path when the chuck (2) is tightened or largerand that the counter-abutment (5 a, 5 b, 5 c, 5 d) located on the chuck(2) is also arranged for a tightened tensioning screw (2) of tensioningnut (3) within the sleeve-like extension (3 a).
 6. Connector fittingaccording to claim 1, wherein the counter-abutment is arranged on an endof the chuck (2) facing away from a tensioning region and is an annularpiece (5 b), which is connected to the chuck and which axially coversthe abutment (4 b) of the tensioning nut (3) in a position of use, saidannular piece extending over at least a part of a circumference of thechuck (2) and the abutment (4 b).
 7. Connector fitting according toclaim 6, wherein the counter-abutment formed as the annular piece (5 b)is connected integrally with the chuck (2) or as a separate part,especially a sealing ring or O-ring, inserted into a groove (5 d) at anend of the chuck (2).
 8. Connector fitting according to claim 1, whereinthe counter-abutment on the chuck (2) comprises at least one finger (5a) extending radially over an outer circumference thereof and especiallyprojecting tangentially and that on the abutment (4 b) of the tensioningnut (3) covering it in the position of use, a projection (4 a) isprovided extending in the axial direction, said projection contactingthe finger (5 a) in a circumferential direction for blocking rotationalmotion.
 9. Connector fitting according to claim 1, wherein thecounter-abutment formed as finger (5 a) is elastic and can be deflectedfor contact on the abutment projection (4 a) elastically up to an innerwall of the sleeve-like extension (3 a).
 10. Connector fitting accordingto claim 9, wherein the finger (5 a) used as the counter-abutment andextending diagonally or tangentially stands against a relativerotational direction of the outer thread of the chuck (2).
 11. Connectorfitting according to claim 1, wherein the projection (4 a) standing at adistance opposite the abutment in the axial direction is arranged at adiameter, which is smaller than a diameter of the circle, at which anouter free end of the abutment finger (5 a) is located.
 12. Connectorfitting according to claim 1, wherein a contact side of the projection(4 a) extends steeply, especially somewhat axially, and a border of theprojection (4 a) facing away form the contact side extends diagonally.13. Connector fitting according to claim 1, wherein between the chuck(2) and the perforation edge there is a slotted connecting piece (7),which can be expanded by means of chuck (2) and which engages behind theperforation on an inside with retaining projections (7 a), where forcecan be exerted on an inside of the connecting piece by an outer side ofthe chuck (2).
 14. Connector fitting according to one claim 13, whereinthe connecting piece (7) engaging behind the perforation on the insidewith retaining projections (7 a) is connected to the tensioning nut (3)by screw connection for adapting to various wall thickness values. 15.Connector fitting according to claim 1, wherein an opening of thesleeve-like extension (3 a) is closed on a side facing away from thehousing by a seal (8), which comprises an opening for the longitudinalbody.
 16. Connector fitting according to claim 1, wherein the chuckincludes clamping fingers and at least one of the clamping fingers (9)of the chuck (2) comprises a pushing element (10) formed on an outerside, said pushing element preventing co-rotation of the chuck (2) withthe tensioning nut (3) through intermeshing with slits (11) of aconnecting piece (7) when the chuck (2) is tightened.